Something For the Weekend: US Comics (and more) on Sale 9th December 2015

A week away followed by re-stocking of fridges/ freezers etc after power cuts and work catch up means I’m unable to bring you my normal more detailed breakdown of comics on sale in comic shops this week, but despite Lancaster’s floods, Mark Braithwaite at First Age Comics still posted his list of new titles, so here it is.

Lancaster’s flood defences were overwhelmed after torrential rain and many businesses and residences were affected, as have many in Cumbria, where the Lakes International Comic Art Festival‘s storage facility was flooded out.

(I spent some of my free time in Malta and posting updates on emergency service responses to the virtual-lancaster blog, because the other community team members power was intermittent at best – and off for many hours at worst. We’re now all back on the National Grid thanks to round the clock work by Electricity North West engineers).

“The worst of the flood stopped just short of us,” says Mark, “though we do feel for those businesses less fortunate and hope they can recover soon.

“We did spring a few leaks during the relentless rainfall but managed to contain the worst of it.”

“Having had no power or communications we have a backlog of online orders to process and are working hard to get these packaged and posted as quickly as possible,” says Mark. “There will be some disruption to this weeks delivery but will keep everyone updated as and when we can – but we are open for business!”

As usual, don’t forget that despite many British publishers lack of faith in full-blown cover to cover comic strip action and humour, there are still comics on sale in newsagents that still delight in bringing you such subversive delights, including The Beano,Commando, Judge Dredd Megazine, Panini’s superhero titles and VIZ, with great strips also featuring in titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Doctor Who Adventures, Titan’s Doctor Who Comic (collecting their strips from the US format titles) Mega, TOXIC and many others.

The Hachette Judge DreddCollection is also on sale now, but you may now have to subscribe if you want to continue buying it as Part Works are not distributed in newsagents after their first few issues.

Plus, the wonderful Phoenix Comic is now on sale in many (but not all) Waitrose supermarkets and – at last, selected high street WH Smiths stores – and some comic shops (stockist list here) as well as available on subscription.

• First Age Comics is at 3 Moor Lane, Lancaster LA1 1QD. Open: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5.30pm. First Age Comics also has a shop site on e-Bay: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/First-Age

Desperate to escape from the horrors of Salem, Tom must place his trust in the hands of a stranger, and go against every instinct he has as an assassin, and man, to save the terrified travelers relying on him. For Charlotte, time’s running out as the Templar threat moves closer…

The wager between Red and The Gambler is now in its end game, leaving Red hunted by an army of murderous criminals, local law enforcement officers and an assassin with a 100% success rate called John X. Can Liz and Dembe get to Red before John X marks his cross?

It’s Weasel’s benefit gig at last – and the Mayor’s brought the army to break things up! As the alien-masked Invaders mobilize in Brixton’s defence, Retch returns to spread his poison across the city – things are looking grim for Weasel, Verity, and Roots! Meanwhile, the CIA’s Jeb infiltrates The Island…

The Doctor and Alice have met persistent foes before – but never anything like THE THEN & THE NOW, the group of supremely strange cosmic bounty hunters sent to bring them to justice! It’s getting so they can’t even solve an intergalactic war crime without having to flee for their lives!

It’s the 2015 Doctor Who Holiday Special! When a mysterious Christmas card materializes on the TARDIS console, Clara and the Doctor are pulled into an interdimensional adventure of astoundingly festive proportions! Packed with impossible sights and nigh-insurmountable stakes, this special issue also contains puzzles and games woven into the story!

The Eighth Doctor and Josie Day start a universe-wide investigation! First stop – Lumin’s World, home to a raging war between the near-extinct Calexi and the crystalline Spherions! When Josie is wounded in the crossfire, it’s up to the Doctor to strike a peace – and find a cure – before she dies!

The ‘Vengeance’ storyline continues! The origin of the previous El Vengador continues as he meets a certain Father Mauricio and discovers his secret… Plus a familiar face returns – with a deadly agenda, and the Diablos gang are still causing problems…

Across the planet and unknown to each other, a group of troubled teenagers lead lives of quiet desperation. But hell is about to befall them and they find their lives destroyed when they are targeted by dark forces. On the run, they discover they have unbelievable powers and must come together – as The Troop!

Published by

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, John describes himself as is a "freelance comics operative", working as an editor, as Creative Consultant on the Dan Dare audio adventures for B7 Media, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival.
John has worked in British comics publishing for over 30 years. His credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine at Marvel UK and Star Trek Magazine and Babylon 5 Magazine at Titan Magazines. He also edited STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics, including Team M.O.B.I.L.E. and The Beatles Story. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War and “Dan Dare” for Tian Books.
He’s the writer of “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz, published on Tapastic; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood for digital comic 100% Biodegradable.
View all posts by John Freeman